Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is expected to announce his resignation today, has fled to the Maldives on a military aircraft.
President Gotabaya's landed at Vellana International Airport at around 3 am local time. Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya's wife and bodyguard also flew along with him to the Maldives on an Antonov-32 military aircraft.
They were welcomed at the Velana International Airport by the President of the Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed. As per reports, Nasheed also helped Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's military helicopter to be allowed to land in the Maldives.
After staying at the airport's VIP terminal, early in the Morning President Gotabaya left the Velana International Airport, an airport official said Speaking to local media. However, his whereabouts are unknown yet.
The Foreign Ministry of the Maldives has stated that the Ministry will not be commenting on the issue at the moment.
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and his family are widely blamed for Sri Lanka's economic downturn. Since March this year, peaceful demonstrations have been demanding his resignation.
Following civilian unrest last Saturday, where the protesters occupy President’s home, Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena confirmed President Rajapaksa’s resignation to be announced today. He also said that President Gotabaya has fled to a neighboring country, but later said that it was a mistake and that the President has not escaped the country.
President Gotabaya's landed at Vellana International Airport at around 3 am local time. Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya's wife and bodyguard also flew along with him to the Maldives on an Antonov-32 military aircraft.
They were welcomed at the Velana International Airport by the President of the Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed. As per reports, Nasheed also helped Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's military helicopter to be allowed to land in the Maldives.
After staying at the airport's VIP terminal, early in the Morning President Gotabaya left the Velana International Airport, an airport official said Speaking to local media. However, his whereabouts are unknown yet.
The Foreign Ministry of the Maldives has stated that the Ministry will not be commenting on the issue at the moment.
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and his family are widely blamed for Sri Lanka's economic downturn. Since March this year, peaceful demonstrations have been demanding his resignation.
Following civilian unrest last Saturday, where the protesters occupy President’s home, Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena confirmed President Rajapaksa’s resignation to be announced today. He also said that President Gotabaya has fled to a neighboring country, but later said that it was a mistake and that the President has not escaped the country.
